Computer and Information Systems

SPU uses Barracuda Networks to manage its spam. Daily, SPU receives about 1.2 million email messages and of these roughly 96% of these removed as spam. Of the rest that make it through, we will tag messages that appear suspiciously like spam but are unsure with the label {SPU Tagged Spam?}.

Be aware that computer usage may also effect how much spam you get. Be cautious about using your SPU email address for online blogs, chat rooms, prize contests, wiki's, and other network services.

Some email clients (for example Outlook 2003 or 2007) also have the capability to filter spam messages as they are delivered to the client. This type of filtering takes place on the individual PC that is running to client software, not at the Exchange server level. Some adjustments can also be made in this type of software in increase the sensitivity (and filter threshold) for spam control. It's equally important that you routinely view the contents of the Outlook "Junk E-Mail" folder for messages that have been miscategorized as spam by this tool.

How To:

Listed below are some other options for controlling spam:

1. Create Rules within in Outlook or Webmail:

For example, you can create a rule that will move anything containing {SPU Tagged Spam?} to your Junk Items folder.

In Outlook: Rule settings can be found under “Tools” then “Rules and Alerts.”
In Webmail: You only need to click the “Rules” button.

2. Using Barracuda’s Mail Filter Preferences:

Log in to the Mail Filter Preferences by clicking on the link on the SPU Webmail login page. Then click on the “Preferences” tab.

A. Blacklist/Whitelist e-mail address(es) in your Mail Filter Preferences:

Click on the “Whitelist/Blacklist” subcategory. You can add the e-mail address to the “Blocked E-mail Addresses and Domains” list.

OR

If you suspect a legitimate message is being blocked or tagged as spam, you can Whitelist the "FR: address" here as well.

SELECT THE SAVE CHANGES BUTTON AFTER MAKING ANY CHANGES

B. Change your Spam thresholds to block at a lower score level:
Click on the “Spam Settings” subcategory. Turn off the system defaults by choosing “No” next to “Use system defaults.” You can then lower the level at which messages are blocked, thereby reducing the number of spam messages you get that are simply tagged. Note that this has a higher risk of blocking legitimate messages.

SELECT THE SAVE CHANGES BUTTON AFTER MAKING ANY CHANGES

3. Download the Outlook spam plug-in:

The plug-in can be accessed at https://mailfilter.spu.edu/cgi-bin/index.cgi. Click on the “Get Mail Client Plugins Here” at the bottom of the Mail Filter Preferences login page. These filter plugins requires Microsoft Outlook 2003/2007. The plug-ins will appear on Outlook's tool bar and allow you to tag individual "spam" and "not spam" messages.

Common Problems:

Tip: The email Rules Wizard is highly customizable and therefore only as useful as the design. Use multiple simple rules rather than a few very complex rules.

Note: Excessive SPAM and pop-up adds may be indicative of spyware using your computer. There are many anti-spyware applications that can be used to clean your system and reduce spam over time.